National Republican., 1887-12-30
FROM THE pEy1rENr1ARY
Came the Bogus Special Police
Onicer.

Omcer.
Albert Foster, q bright, intelligent look
ing colored man, was placed on trial in the
criminal court yesterday afternoon upon
the double charge Of obtaining money under
false pretensos and falsely lmpersonatlng a
police officer. The Indictment set out that
on the night Of Oct. q last Foster, accom-
panied by Jerry Thomas and Charley Gray,
both colored Nassed through the store OF
Joseph Campbell into tho rear part, where
Campbell dispensed liquors by wholesale.
Fostercslled for TWO whlskys aud beer, civ.
Ing Campbell 10 centsl Ia payment. He also
asked Campbell to illl bis half.pint flask with
whisky, but thinking the quantity was not
enough, requested Campbell to give him
another half pint, which he paid for. Gray
and Thomas having left the store, Foster
accused Campbell OF violating the liquor
law, exhibited pollceman's badge, and
demanded S25 from Campbell or he would
be reported. Foster compromised for $40
and followed his companions out OF the
place.
Next morning Mrs. O'Brien, on going to
her unclc's (Cdmpbells) store, met Foster,
who exhibited badge aud told her ho had
received his appointment. Later she learned
about the money transaction, and on con.
fronting Foster he admitted impersonating
an officer and obtaining the money, prOmis.
ing to return II, but 1t failed to materlalze.
Richard Sylvester, clerk OF the police de-
partment, on being called, testified that
Foster was not an officer of the police force
Officer Skinner found Foster asleep IN an
alley snoring loudly. On awakening him
he showed specials badge, and the officer
permitted bin to 20 10 sleep again.
For the defense, Jerry Thomas testified
to getting tho drinks and 10 Fosters paying
for them. Charles Gray also coToborated
Thomas's testimony.
Foster then took theastand, and testified
that he was employed as q private wltcd-
man by Mr. Taylor contractor, aud ad
mtt6d getting the $40, but clsined that
Campbell gave II to him as on lnducemont
to Thomas aud Gray not TO inform the au
thoitles of his violation of the law, Clmp.
belle suspicious being aroused by yoverhelr.
Ing their conversation when In the et)re.
lie dtulpd ever imper5opating policsmAn An
or wearing n badge.
On cross examination Mr. Lipscombl
asked bin whero he came from, which he
refused to answer, taying it wa nobody's
business. On the courts insistilg that the
! defendant answer the question the follow.
ing Colloquy took place between the pris-
oDer and the prosecuting attorney:
q. Where did you come from?
~, NSlIi u you WusJ nave. lub lTOUl vac
peDltentary.
q. How long had you been up2
A. Twenty eight months.
Q. What charge?
A. l was charged With what dlln't do
- @. or course, that's the rule, but what
wasit?
a. Larceny.
q. Weren't you not also charged with
having committed murder In Maryland?
A. Yes.
Q. How many times have you been IN
| jailP
A. Two or three times.
q. What were the charges2
A. Hitting fellow with brick, licking
woman, and larceny.
Q. Ever been to the workhou3eG
A. Yes; once.
q. What for?
A. They sent me up for buying a sack o.
| flour.
Q, You couldn't tell who you bought II
| from?
A. No; and they sent me up as aus
| picious character.
"Well, that's all l want out Of you,''
| said Mr.. Lipscombe.
The case was then given to the jury, who
returned verdict OF guilty as indicted.